10 Lies International Students Believe About Studying in the US

Lie #1. I should only apply to Top 50 ranked US universities. Study in USA? There are more than 4,000 universities in the United States and no one, including a magazine ranking system, can accurately determine which is the best school for you. Unless your academic profile is in the 95th percentile, your Top 50 university application will likely be denied. We recommend you find a international student placement provider [study in USA consultant] that can help you discover undergraduate scholarships for international students at universities that fit your academic profile.

Lie #2. I should apply to the cheapest American universities for international students. Many affordable universities with low acceptance requirements are not regionally accredited, which means you will likley have low university fees but a disappointing educational experience. Examine the curriculum guide on each university’s website to see if the degree program offered is a good match for you. Create a list of questions and schedule a video conference call with the international admissions department. I want to study in USA after 12th commerce, what’s the process? Can I study in USA without an IELTS score?

Examine the curriculum guide on each university’s website to see if the degree program offered is a good match for you. Create a list of questions and schedule a video conference call with the international admissions department.

Lie #3. I need to apply to at least 10 universities. In the end, you can only attend one university. If you are unable to determine the unique differences between ten universities then either your academic advisor is a fool or you have not taken enough time to research each university. And with each acceptance, you take a seat from a student who genuinely wishes to attend that particular university.

Lie #4. I should listen to the advice of a local agent/uncle/friend. If you were lost in an American city, would you call your uncle for directions or would you ask a local resident for help? A certified education counselor knows more about each university he or she represents (and the surrounding city) than your well-intentioned uncle ever will. Beware of the local agent who recommends the same handful of US universities to all his clients; these universities are likely unaccredited institutions with low academic standards and bad reputations with low visa approval rates.

Lie #5. Education consultants in the USA are expensive. A good education consultant serves as a kind of trusted advisor who can help you choose from the 4,000+ US universities, avoid application mistakes, receive visa interview training, and significantly improve your chances of arriving on a USA campus. Do you know the monthly living cost in the USA? Do you know how to study in the USA with a scholarship?

Lie #6. The statement of purpose essay doesn’t matter. The essay is your opportunity to write directly to the admissions committee, who will determine if you will be accepted or denied. If your statement of purpose essay contains errors or is plagiarized or is too vague, then you will likely be denied. If you are uncomfortable writing in English, a semester at a English Language Program in the USA might be helpful to your academic success?

Lie #7. I do not need training to successfully earn a visa to study in the USA. F-1 visa approval rates vary widely from country to country and from embassy to embassy. An AIRC certified education agent can make the difference between a visa approval and a visa denial. Isn’t it worth your time to spend a few hours training with a qualified American education consultant before arriving for an interview that could change your life?

Lie #8. Universities are better than colleges. There is no significant difference between a college and a university in the United States. For example, Dartmouth College and Harvard University are both highly selective and are both Ivy League schools.

Lie #9. I can get a full scholarship for international students in the USA. Most US colleges and universities do offer international scholarships for well-qualified applicants; however, scholarships for internationals students tend to reduce tuition but do not typically lower the cost of housing, food, health insurance, and books. In addition, qualified students will need to possess high scores on the IELTS or TOEFL exams as well as GRE or GMAT exams for graduate admission.

scholarships for internationals students tend to reduce tuition but do not typically lower the cost of housing, food, health insurance, and books. In addition, qualified students will need to possess high scores on the IELTS or TOEFL exams as well as GRE or GMAT exams for graduate admission.

Lie #10. I can easily get accepted to a US medical school or law school. Applying for either medical school or law school in the USA is not advised. Both applications are extremely unlikely to be approved. A law degree makes a student an expert in US law and is therefore not applicable to international students returning home. Most public institutions will not accept international students for medical school because of funding restraints and transcript credit issues.

McGovern Education Group provides international students with US university placement services, including application services, counseling services, visa interview training, shortlisting services, and much more.